20th November 2025

The Amazonian Initiative Movement (AIM), in collaboration with the Port Loko District Women In Governance Network (PoDWIGN), is pleased to inform its staff, partners, and the general public that the "Tree of Life Training" has been successfully concluded today, 20th November 2025 at the Port Loko District Council Hall where they hosted over 120 participants who came all over the 13 chiefdoms of Port Loko District.

This tree of life engagement brought together a powerful representation of women leaders, survivors of FGM, and respected community figures whose voices and experiences remain essential in shaping a safer and more empowered Sierra Leone. Participants included:

 ✓ Wives of Paramount Chiefs

✓ Sisters of Paramount Chiefs’ Wives

✓ Survivors of FGM

✓ Female Chiefs

✓ Spouses and Family Representatives and

✓ Daughters of Paramount Chiefs

This broad inclusion reflects the Amazonian Initiative Movement's continued commitment to meaningful engagement with women at the heart of community influence and decision-making.

Facilitators:

The training was expertly delivered by:

 ✓ Mrs. Rugiatu Neneh Turay Koroma, Founder & Executive Director, AIM

✓ Mrs. Mariatu Songo Kanu, Women’s Forum and

✓ Cllr. Onita M. Koroma, PoDWIGN

The combined expertise of the facilitators mentioned above brought depth, clarity, and guidance to every session, ensuring a safe, open, and empowering space for all participants.

Training focus and impacts:

The Tree of Life methodology has provided a healing-centered platform that encouraged free expression, shared experiences, and reflective dialogue where attendees engaged in one-on-one discussions, open Q&A, reflections, and frank contributions that fostered genuine understanding and solidarity.

 The training covered key thematic areas, including:

 ✓ Causes and impacts of early child marriage

✓ Effects of forced and arranged marriages

✓ Physical and psychological consequences of FGM/C

✓ Understanding and preventing SGBV

✓ Strengthening family relationships, harmony, and communication, and

✓ The critical importance of family members in shaping positive social change

 Participants, especially the wives and female representatives from all 13 chiefdoms of Port Loko District, expressed deep appreciation for the learning experience they had gained. Many highlighted that they never fully understood the extent of the harm caused by these practices until today’s session.

 The key outcomes of this training today are:

 ✓ Participants recognized their critical role as mothers, wives of Paramount Chiefs, sisters, daughters, and community influencers.

✓ They acknowledged the urgent need to help eliminate FGM/C, child marriage, SGBV, and all harmful traditional practices.

 ✓ Each participant openly shared personal reflections and committed to stepping up as role models in their communities, where several pledged where made to do as follows:

 - Lead community conversations to spread awareness

- Counsel their families, especially their husbands, on the harmful effects of FGM/C and SGBV

- Support AIM’s ongoing advocacy across chiefdoms and

- Stand firm in protecting girls and women from violence and harmful practices such as FGM/C.

The energy, unity, and determination expressed in today's training have positively demonstrated the growing momentum for positive change across Port Loko District and the full involvement of the wives of Paramount Chiefs.

In ensuring our campaign reaches wider communities and impactful on all trainers, AIM is deeply committed to continuing to:

 ✓ Provide follow-up on community engagements with trainers

✓ Strengthen grassroots advocacy in all 13 chiefdoms of Port Loko District

✓ Work closely with female chiefs, spouses, and community gatekeepers

✓ Ensure that sustainable awareness and action against harmful practices are always practiced

AIM remains deeply committed to empowering women, protecting girls, and building a nation free from violence and all forms of harmful practices through the "Drop the knife, stop the cut!"

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© Advocacy & Communication Department | Amazonian Initiative Movement